as in red lights
something that tells of approaching danger or risk
the résumé she accidentally left on the office printer was a red flag that she was planning to quit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of red flags
One such trend, which has since become known as the ‘pink pilates princess,’ might not raise any red flags at first.
—
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Still, there are a few red flags that usually signal something is wrong.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
The litigation in that case resolved hundreds of lawsuits alleging the company ignored red flags while filling prescriptions for opioid pain medication.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Being in a healthy relationship isn’t about avoiding red flags altogether.
—Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
How many red flags can this season possibly show us?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
And nothing about his infatuation with Gemini had raised red flags for Rachel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Here are three major red flags that your boss is embracing toxic positivity.
—Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025
But red flags can be harder to see when a buyer really wants a deal to get done.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Still, there are a few red flags that usually signal something is wrong.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2025
The litigation in that case resolved hundreds of lawsuits alleging the company ignored red flags while filling prescriptions for opioid pain medication.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Being in a healthy relationship isn’t about avoiding red flags altogether.
—Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
How many red flags can this season possibly show us?
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
And nothing about his infatuation with Gemini had raised red flags for Rachel.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Here are three major red flags that your boss is embracing toxic positivity.
—Mita Mallick, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for red flags
Noun
-
Under the dim red lights, the audience and the band became one, swimming in a sea of sound.—
Ivan Kashinsky,
NPR,
8 Oct. 2025
-
After rolling out entrance ramp metering along Interstate 96 in Oakland County, the Michigan Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to pull all the way up to the stop line on red lights.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But the latest announcement comes amid stark warnings from international aid groups that budget cuts will roll back recent progress.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The rough weather and ocean conditions have prompted a variety of watches and warnings along the coast and offshore, where marine conditions are forecast to be particularly hazardous.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But there have been signs that Kim has spent months preparing for a major parade in the capital Pyongyang, potentially at night and involving tens of thousands of people, according to the South Korean military.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The researchers also uncovered signs of immune and inflammation pathways involved in the disease, which could help guide treatment in the future.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Red flags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/red%20flags. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share